Tug of war game

ABSTRACT

The tug of war game includes a base defining a play surface having a recess formed therein. Two sets of a plurality of independent toy figurines are slidable on the play surface, and the sets are respectively placed on opposite sides of the recess. Structure is provided for selectively and simultaneously moving the figurines along the play surface in either of two opposite directions so that the figurines in one set are selectively moved towards the recess while the figurines in the other set are simultaneously moved away from the recess. As a result the figurines will fall from the play surface into the recess and out of the game as the moving mechanism moves the respective figurines off of the play surface over the recess.

United States Patent Cooper Oct. 21, 1975 TUG OF WAR GAME Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerHarry G1 Strappello [75] lnvemor' Cooper New Hyde Park Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard M. Rabkin, Esq.

[73] Assignee: Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, N.Y. [57] ABSTRACT 2 Filed; Feb 3 1975 The tug of war game includes a base defining a play surface having a recess formed therein. Two sets of a [2]] Appl 546,233 plurality of independent toy figurines are slidable on the play surface, and the sets are respectively placed 52] [1.8. (:1. 273/85 R; 273/134 0 on Opposite Sides of the recess Structure is Provided [51] Int. Cl. A63F 7/06 for Selectively and Simultaneously moving the figurines 58 Field of Search 273/1 R, as R, 134; along the P y surface in either of two pp direc- 4 9 tions so that the figurines in one set are selectively moved towards the recess while the figurines in the 5 References Cited other set are simultaneously moved away from the re- UNITED STATES PATENTS cess. As a result the figurines will fall from the play surface into the recess and out of the game as the I :fgfifi 34 5 is moving mechanism moves the respective figurines off 3I861Z684 1/1975 Gastin et al A. 273/1 R x of Play surface the recessl7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet1of2 3,913,914

Too OF WAR GAME The present invention relates to toy games and more particularly to a tug of war game in which toy figurines will fall from the game when moved beyond a predetermined point.

Tug of war type games have previously been proposed wherein toy figurines are connected to a simulated rope and indicators are provided to indicate which group of figurines have the advantage during the play of the game and which group ultimately wins the game upon movement of the indicator means to a predetermined point. In such previously proposed games however the toy figurines do not simulate a realistic tug of war game wherein the players release the tugging rope or are eliminated from the game by being pulled beyond the game boundaries by the other team.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tug of war game which simulates the actual ocurrences in a game of tug of war more realistically than previously proposed tug of war games.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tug of war game which provides a realistic action during the play thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy tug of war game which is simple in construction and economical in manufacture.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tug of war game which is durable in use and highly entertaining.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention the tug of war includes a base or frame which defines a play surface having first and second aligned surface portions with a recess formed in'the base between the surface portions. The edges of the play surface portions adjacent the recess define the boundary limits of the game.

Two sets of a plurality of independent toy figurines are placed on each of the surface portions of the base, on opposite sides of the recess, and are formed to slide along the play surface. A simulated rope is supported on the base and extends over the play surface portions across the recess. The rope and figurines have cooperating means formed thereon which releasably connect the figurines to the rope for movement therewith.

The rope is selectively moved in opposite directions across the recess by a crank mechanism or the like, thereby to simultaneously move the figurines therewith along the play surface portions in the same direction of movement as the rope. As a result the respective figurines on opposite sides of the recess in the play surface are selectively moved towards and away from the recess during the play of the game. The direction and degree of movement of the rope is controlled by the players in accordance with any predetermined set of rules, with the aid of a pair of dice or the like, so that ultimately during the play of the game the rope will be moved with respect to the recess in the base to positions wherein the individual figurines will be drawn over the edge of their associated play surface portion into the recess, at which point the figurine disengages the rope and falls into the recess, out of the game.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a tug of war game constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevational view of the game illustrated in FIG. 2, showing the position of the figurines on the play surface at the start of the game;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the means for moving the simulated rope used in the game; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the simulated rope used in the game of the present invention and the manner in which the toy figurines are operatively connected to the rope.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that a tug of war game 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a base 12, which may be formed of a molded plastic material, that defines a play surface having two play surface portions l4, 16 located in axial alignment with each other. A recess or depression I8 is formed in base 12 between the two play surface portions. As illustrated in the drawing, the base can be molded to simulate a pair of rocky cliffs separated by a simulated waterfall.

A simulated rope 20 is provided in the base 12 and extends above the play surface portions l4, 16 across the recess 18. Two sets of a plurality (four in the illustrative embodiment) of toy figurines 22, 24 are operatively and releasably engaged with the simulated rope 26, as described hereinafter. The rope is adapted to be reciprocated across recess 18 by a drive or crank mechanism 26, in either of the two opposite directions. By this arrangement, as the rope 20 is moved in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. I (by.rotation of the crank in the same direction) the set of figurines 22 will be moved towards the right along play surface 14 while the figurines 24 will be moved, in the same direction, towards the recess 18. When the rope 20 has been moved a sufficient distance, the first figurine in the set 24 will be moved over the edge 28 of play surface 16 and into the recess 18. When this occurs the figurine disengages the rope and falls into the recess out of the game. Of course the same result will occur when rope 20 is moved in the opposite direction, so that the figurines 22 will fall into the recess.

Any desired set of rules can be established to determine the direction and amount of movement of rope 20 during the course of the game. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention however a pair of dice 30 are provided, with each die being a different color. The players (usually the game is played with only two players) each select one of the colored dies and simultaneously toss the die. The player whose die shows the highest number then operates the crank mechanism 26 to move his set of figurines in the direction away from the recess 18, thereby causing his opponent's figurines to move towards the recess. The number of turns of the crank is determined by the number showing on the players die. In order to facilitate the players identification of his set of figurines, the figurines of the respective sets are formed in the same colors as the two die.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 4, it is seen that the simulated rope 20 consists of a length of flexible cord or string 32 having free ends 34 on which metal'or plastic balls 36 are secured. These balls are received in keyhole type eyelets 38 formed on the ends of rigid plastic gripper bars 28, which simulate a rope.

As seen in FIG. 1 the opposite ends 42 of these bars are formed in a hook shape and are interconnected by an elastic band 48 or the like thereby to form the simulated rope as a complete loop. This loop extends through openings 44 in opposite ends of the base 12, so that a portion of the loop extends beneath the play surfaces l4, 16. This flexible portion of the simulated rope is looped around a shaft 50, which forms part of the crank mechanism 26, as described hereinafter, so that upon rotation of the shaft the simulated rope is moved.

The rigid gripper sections 40 of the simulated rope each include a plurality of generally cylindrical enlargements or protuberances 52' formed integrally therewith at spaced locations therealong. These protuberances cooperate with the toy figurines, as illustrated in FIG. 4 to move the figurines along the play surface during movement of the rope.

Each of the toy figurines is of substantially identical construction and has a flat base 54 which will support the figurine in a vertical position while allowing sliding movement of the figurine along its associated play surface. Each of the figurines has simulated hands 56 formed thereon in spaced locations on the body of the figurines, with the hands defining generally channel shaped members, The hands are spaced a distance which is substantially equal to the length of one of the enlargements 52 so that the enlargement can be placed between the hands of the figurine with the narrower portions of the gripping section in the channels formed by the hands. In this manner it will be seen that when the rope 20 is moved the ends of the cylindrical enlargements will engage against the inner faces 58 of the hands or channel members, depending upon the direction of movement of the figurine, so that the figurine will be pulled along with the rope and slide along its play surface. However, since the channel members open upwardly, when the figurine is moved over the edge 28 of its associated play surface adjacent the recess, the figurine can fall downwardly away from the rope and into the recess. in this manner during the play of the game the players will be attempting to move the rope in the proper direction so that ultimately all of the opponents figurines will have been taken out of the game by falling into the recess.

The crank mechanism 26 utilized in the game of the present invention is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. Essentially this mechanism includes a crank member 60 having a stem portion 62 rotatably mounted in base 12 in any convenient manner below the recess 18. The crank includes a handle 64 which extends outwardly of the base to allow rotation of the crank by the players. The stem 62 has an integral spur gear 66 formed on its inner end. This spur gear cooperates with an internal gear 68 having internal teeth 70 formed therein. The gear 68 is rotatably mounted in any convenient manner on a stud 72 formed in base 12 so that rotation of crank 60 will cause rotation of gear 68.

Gear 68 has a sleeve 74 formed integrally therewith which rotates on the stud 72. Sleeve 74 includes the shaft or extension 50 on which an elastic friction bushing 78 or the like is secured. The simulated rope 20, and particularly the flexible cord portion 32 thereof, in looped over the shaft 50 and bushing 78 in a friction fit so that rotation of the gear 68 will cause rotation of the cord. It is noted that the proper frictional engagement between cord 32 and bushing 78 is insured by the elastic member 48 which applies the necessary tension to the cord holding it tightly about bushing 78. In addition, the cord is held against lateral movement on the bushing 78 by two pairs of posts 80 located on opposite sides of the shaft (see FIG. 2) to prevent the cord from becoming inadvertently disengaged with the shaft.

Preferably, internal gear 68 has a far larger number of teeth 70 than the spur gear 66 so that one revolution of the crank 60 will cause only a slight angular rotation of the internal gear and thus only a small incremental movement of rope 20. Thus, during play of the game, as a player rotates crank 60 a number of turns equal to the number showing in his die, the rope will be moved an incremental amount for each rotation of the crank.

In order to indicate to the players that one full revolution has been completed, the game is provided with a sound mechanism that cooperates with the internal gear 68. As illustrated in FIG. 3 this sound mechanism includes a resilient leaf spring type member 82, preferably formed of a resilient metal material, which is secured at one end 84 by a screw 86 or the like to the base 12. The opposite end 86 of the spring 82 is positioned adjacent the external periphery 88 of internal gear 68. A plurality of protuberances 90 are spaced evenly along the peripheral surface 88 of internal gear 68 at distances equal to the incremental rotation of the internal gear in response to one full revolution of the crank 60. Thus each time the crank 60 is rotated one revoluation a protuberance 90 or gear 68 will engage the end 86 of the leaf spring 82, snapping the spring to produce a sound typical of such noise makers. Each sound heard indicates to the players that crank 60 had been turned through one revolution.

Accordingly, it will be seen that a relatively simply constructed and inexpensive tug of war game is provided which simulates the occurrences of an actual game of mg of war. In the play of the game the players toss the dice 30 and the player with the highest number showing on his die rotates the crank 64 a number of turns equal to the number showing on his die. Of course the player selects to rotate the crank in the direction which will cause the figurines of his set to slide along their associated play surface portion in the direction away from recess 18, thereby drawing his opponents figurines towards the recess. Play continues in this manner with each player turning the crank when his die has the highest number showing after a particular toss. Thus the figurines in each set will be moved towards and away from the recess 18 in a random pattern. During the play of the game the figurines will ultimately be drawn to the end of their associated play surface portion adjacent recess 18, and when moved over that edge they will fall into the recess out of the game. When all of the figurines of one player have been removed from the game in this manner the game is over.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A tug of war game comprising a base defining a play surface having first and second play surface portions and a recess formed therebetween; a plurality of toy figurines independently slidable along said surface portions with at least some of the figurines respectively located on each of the play surface portions at the start of the game; and means for selectively and simultaneously moving said figurines along their associated play surface portions in either of two opposite directions whereby movement of a figurine from its associated play surface portion to a position adjacent the recess causes the figurine to fall off of its associated play surface portion, into the recess, and out of the game.

2. The toy as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises a simulated rope and means for selectively reciprocating said rope along said play surface portions and above said recess; and means releasably connecting said figurines to said simulated rope whereby the figurines will move with the simulated rope and be released therefrom when the figurine falls in said recess.

3. The tug of war game as defined in claim 2 wherein said releasable connecting means comprises a gripping protuberance on said simulated rope associated with each of said figurines and means on said figurines for engaging opposite ends of the protuberance adjacent the lower surface of the rope whereby the figurines will move with the rope in either direction of movement thereof but will disengage the rope and fall downwardly into the recess when moved to a position at the end of its associated play surface portion adjacent the recess.

4. The tug of war game as defined in claim 3 wherein said engaging means comprises a pair of spaced upwardly opening channel segments formed on said figurines receiving said simulated rope therein and their associated protuberance therebetween.

5. The tug of war game as defined in claim 4 wherein said channel segments comprise simulated hands on said figurines.

6. The tug of war game as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for reciprocating the rope includes a crank rotatably mounted in said base and operatively connected to said simulated rope whereby rotation of the crank will reciprocate the simulated rope in either of said opposite directions in accordance with the direction of rotation of the crank.

7. The tug of war game as defined in claim 6 including means for signalling to the player one complete revolution of the crank.

8. The tug of war game as defined in claim 7 wherein said signalling means includes a resilient leaf spring type noise maker and means for snapping said noise maker after each one full revolution of the crank.

9. The tug of war game as defined in claim 6 for use by two players including a pair of differently colored dice, said figurines being formed in two sets with each set being a color corresponding to one of said dice.

10. The tug of war game as defined in claim 3 wherein said simulated rope comprises a length of flexible cord and a pair of rigid gripper sections having said protuberances formed thereon, said gripper sections normally being respectively positioned to overlie one of said play section portions to move the figurines associated therewith along said play surface portions during reciprocation of the simulated rope.

11. A tug of war game comprising a base defining a play surface having first and second aligned surface portions and a recess formed therebetween; two sets of a plurality of independent toy figurines respectively associated with said surface portions on opposite sides of the recess and slidable thereon; rope means in said base and extending over said play surface portions and across said recess; cooperating means on said rope means and said figurines for operatively connecting said figurines to said rope means for movement therewith and for releasing the figurines from the rope means when the figurines are moved over the recess in the base; and means for selectively moving said rope means in opposite directions across said recess to simultaneously move the figurines therewith along the play surface portions in the same direction of movement as the rope means whereby the respective figurines on opposite sides of the recess are selectively moved towards and away from the recess and fall from their associated play surface portions into the recess as movement of the rope means moves the respective figurines off of their associated play surface portions and over the recess.

12. The tug of war game as defined in claim 11 wherein said rope means comprises a simulated rope and said means for operatively connecting and releasing said figurines with the rope means comprises a gripping enlargement on the rope associated with each of said rigures and a pair of spaced upwardly opening channel segments formed on said figurines receiving said simulated rope therein and their associated protuberances therebetween.

13. The tug of war game as defined in claim 12 wherein said channel segments comprise simulated hands on said figurines.

14. The tug of war game as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for moving the rope means includes a crank rotatably mounted in said base and operatively connected to said simulated rope whereby rotation of the crank will reciprocate the simulated rope in either of said opposite directions in accordance with the direction of rotation of the crank.

15. The tug of war game as defined in claim 14 including means for signalling to the player one complete revolution of the crank.

16. The tug of war game as defined in claim 14 wherein said simulated rope comprises a length of flexible cord and a pair of rigid gripper sections having said enlargements formed thereon, said gripper sections normally being respectively positioned to overly one of said play section portions to move the figurines associated therewith along said play surface portions during reciprocation of the simulated rope.

17. A tug of war game comprising a base defining a play surface and having a recess formed therein; two sets of a plurality of independent toy figurines slidable on said play surface and respectively placed on opposite sides of said recess; and means for selectively and simultaneously moving said figurines along the play surface in either of two opposite directions whereby the figurines in one set are selectively moved towards the recess while the figurines in the other set are simultaneously moved away from the recess, said figurines thereby falling from the play surface into the recess and out of the game as the moving means moves the respective figurines off of the play surface over the recess. 

1. A tug of war game comprising a base defining a play surface having first and second play surface portions and a recess formed therebetween; a plurality of toy figurines independently slidable along said surface portions with at least some of the figurines respectively located on each of the play surface portions at the start of the game; and means for selectively and simultaneously moving said figurines along their associated play surface portions in either of two opposite directions whereby movement of a figurine from its associated play surface portion to a position adjacent the recess causes the figurine to fall off of its associated play surface portion, into the recess, and out of the game.
 2. The toy as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises a simulated rope and means for selectively reciprocating said rope along said play surface portions and above said recess; and means releasably connecting said figurines to said simulated rope whereby the figurines will move with the simulated rope and be released therefrom when the figurine falls in said recess.
 3. The tug of war game as defined in claim 2 wherein said releasable connecting means comprises a gripping protuberance on said simulated rope associated with each of said figurines and means on said figurines for engaging opposite ends of the protuberance adjacent the lower surface of the rope whereby the figurines will move with the rope in either direction of movement thereof but will disengage the rope and fall downwardly into the recess when moved to a position at the end of its associated play surface portion adjacent the recess.
 4. The tug of war game as defined in claim 3 wherein said engaging means comprises a pair of spaced upwardly opening channel segments formed on said figurines receiving said simulated rope therein and their associated protuberance therebetween.
 5. The tug of war game as defined in claim 4 wherein said channel segments comprise simulated hands on said figurines.
 6. The tug of war game as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for reciprocating the rope includes a crank rotatably mounted in said base and operatively connected to said simulated rope whereby rotation of the crank will reciprocate the simulated rope in either of said opposite directions in accordance with the direction of rotation of the crank.
 7. The tug of war game as defined in claim 6 including means for signalling to the player one complete revolution of the crank.
 8. The tug of war game as defined in claim 7 wherein said signalling means includes a resilient leaf spring-type noise maker and means for snapping said noise maker after each one full revolution of the crank.
 9. The tug of war game as defined in claim 6 for use by two players including a pair of differently colored dice, said figurines being formed in two sets with each set being a color corresponding to one of said dice.
 10. The tug of war game as defined in claim 3 wherein said simulated rope comprises a length of flexible cord and a pair of rigid gripper sections having said protuberances formed thereon, said gripper sections normally being respectively positioned to overlie one of said play section portions to move the figurines associated therewith along said play surface portions during reciprocation of the simulated rope.
 11. A tug of war game comprising a base defining a play surface having first and second aligned surface portions and a recess formed therebetween; two sets of a plurality of independent toy figurines respectively associated with said surface portions on opposite sides of the recess and slidable thereon; rope means in said base and extending over said play surface portions and across said recess; cooperating means on said rope means and said figurines for operatively connecting said figurines to said rope means for movement therewith and for releasing the figurines from the rope means when the figurines are moved over the recess in the base; and means for selectively moving said rope means in opposite directions across said recess to simultaneously move the figurines therewith along the play surface portions in the same direction of movement as the rope means whereby the respective figurines on opposite sides of the recess are selectively moved towards and away from the recess and fall from their associated play surface portions into the recess as movement of the rope means moves the respective figurines off of their associated play surface portions and over the recess.
 12. The tug of war game as defined in claim 11 wherein said rope means comprises a simulated rope and said means for operatively connecting and releasing said figurines with the rope means comprises a gripping enlargement on the rope associated with each of said rigures and a pair of spaced upwardly opening channel segments formed on said figurines receiving said simulated rope therein and their associated protuberances therebetween.
 13. The tug of war game as defined in claim 12 wherein said channel segments comprise simulated hands on said figurines.
 14. The tug of war game as defined in claim 12 wherein said meanS for moving the rope means includes a crank rotatably mounted in said base and operatively connected to said simulated rope whereby rotation of the crank will reciprocate the simulated rope in either of said opposite directions in accordance with the direction of rotation of the crank.
 15. The tug of war game as defined in claim 14 including means for signalling to the player one complete revolution of the crank.
 16. The tug of war game as defined in claim 14 wherein said simulated rope comprises a length of flexible cord and a pair of rigid gripper sections having said enlargements formed thereon, said gripper sections normally being respectively positioned to overly one of said play section portions to move the figurines associated therewith along said play surface portions during reciprocation of the simulated rope.
 17. A tug of war game comprising a base defining a play surface and having a recess formed therein; two sets of a plurality of independent toy figurines slidable on said play surface and respectively placed on opposite sides of said recess; and means for selectively and simultaneously moving said figurines along the play surface in either of two opposite directions whereby the figurines in one set are selectively moved towards the recess while the figurines in the other set are simultaneously moved away from the recess, said figurines thereby falling from the play surface into the recess and out of the game as the moving means moves the respective figurines off of the play surface over the recess. 